Press release -

NoCovid Group in Favor of Considerably More Coronavirus Testing in Germany

The NoCovid group’s scientists have called for extensive testing, faster contact tracing, and a rapid rollout of vaccinations in Germany, arguing that only then will it be possible to open up the economy again. Any reopening in the immediate future threatens to quickly undo the hard-won successes of recent weeks, the group writes in a new paper. This means testing must become a part of everyday life. “If we want the economy to recover, any reopening has to be backed by an effective testing strategy and must not be permitted to lead to a resurgence of infections,” says Clemens Fuest, ifo President and a member of the group.

If, for example, policymakers want to open up cultural services and the service sector in general, it would be advisable to make the reopening contingent on rapid antigen testing plans, adapted hygiene concepts, and digital data collection. Since this approach would avoid infections, adopting it would be in the best interests of providers of cultural and other services.

Testing should be conducted at the slightest sign of symptoms and for people at high risk. In red zones with high infection rates, everyone should be tested twice a week. Students and teachers everywhere should be tested twice a week, and so should the children and staff in daycare centers. The same should apply to all employees not working from home as well as to those in public authorities and refugee housing.

Testing is a critical tool for keeping the infection rate in check. The aim should be to bring case numbers down and prevent them from going up again. Infections must be detected early and infected people must self-isolate so as not to pass on the virus. To be effective, testing needs to be frequent, widespread, and easily accessible.

Publication (in German)

Monograph (Authorship)
Menno Baumann, Markus Beier, Melanie Brinkmann, Dirk Brockmann, Heinz Bude, Clemens Fuest, Denise Feldner, Michael Hallek, Ilona Kickbusch, Maximilian Mayer, Michael Meyer-Hermann, Andreas Peichl, Elvira Rosert, Matthias Schneider
Wissenschaftlergruppe der NoCovid-Strategie, 2021
Contact
Dr. Florian Dorn,  Vorstandsbereich, Forschungsgruppe Steuer- und Finanzpolitik, Persönlicher Referent des Präsidenten, Direktor EconPol Europe

Dr. Florian Dorn

Director EconPol Europe
Tel
+49(0)89/9224-1292
Fax
+49(0)89/907795-1292
Mail
Prof. Dr. Andreas Peichl

Prof. Dr. Andreas Peichl

Director of the ifo Center for Macroeconomics and Surveys
Tel
+49(0)89/9224-1225
Fax
+49(0)89/907795-1225
Mail